The number of U.S. temporary help jobs fell by 11,400 in January after rising by an average of 25,000 over the last 12 months, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The temporary help penetration rate slipped to 1.68 percent in January from 1.69 percent in December.

There were 2.19 million jobs in temporary help services in January after the loss of 11,400 jobs. However, December's gain in temporary employment had been revised upward to 38,100 temporary jobs from the initial estimate of 15,900.

In the employment services category, a net 13,200 jobs were added in January for a total of almost 2.9 million. The employment services category includes temporary help services as well as employment placement agencies, executive search services and professional employer organizations.

Overall, total nonfarm employment rose by 36,000 jobs in January. That compares to a revised gain of 121,000 jobs in December.

The jobless rate fell to 9.0 percent in January from 9.4 percent in December. The college-level unemployment rate, which can serve as a proxy for professional employment, fell to 4.2 percent n January from 4.8 percent in December.

The private sector added 50,000 jobs in January. The government sector lost 14,000 jobs with 10,000 of those lost jobs at the local government level.

Looking at selected job categories, manufacturing gained 49,000 jobs in January. Construction lost 32,000 jobs. Healthcare gained 10,600 jobs.